Method and means for using low-compression fuels



Patented Mar. 2, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS MIDGLEY, JR., OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS. TO

GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION, OF

DELAWARE.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF R Drawing.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS MmoLEY, Jr.,

a citizen of the United States of America,

residing at Dayton, county of Montgomery, and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods and Means for Using Low-Compression Fuels, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to the art of suppressing a fuel knock when a combustible gaseous mixture containing a low compression fuel such, for example, as kerosene and gasoline is burned under a relatively high 1 pressure. The princi a1 objects of this invention are to empiby phosphorus compounds to suppress the fuel knock.

Kerosene has a critical compression pressure of about 55 pounds. The critical compression pressure of gasoline varies from about 75 pounds for the commoner forms now marketed to about 125 pounds for avi ation gasoline employed in airplane engines. These fuels are termed low compression fuels. \Vhen the vapors of any of them is mixed with air, compressed to a compression pressure in excess of the normal critical compression pressure of the fuel, and burned, as in an internal-combus- 80 tion engine, a fuel knock is produced.

I have found that vapors of phosphorus 'compounds added to the fuel-air mixture suppress this fuel knock and permit an increase in the engine compression pressure 85 with a normal burning characteristic of the fuel.

By way of an example of one method of carrying out my invention. I dissolve (350 c. c. of trieth 'l phosphine P(C,H in 1 gal- 40 Inn of gasoine having a normal critical compression pressure of about 75 pounds.

This solution or high comm'cssiou fuel is fed through a carburetor into the cylinder of an intcruel-combustion engine having a compression pressure of about 100 pounds,

Application filed September 18, 1923. Serial No. 663,498.

the solution being vaporized and mixed with air as is common practice in engine operation. The gaseous high compression fuel is ignited and the engine operated without a fuel knock. 'The gasoline forms the fuel base and the phosphorus compound increases the critical compression pressure of this base. a

This process may be varied b changing the proportions according to t e increase in critical compression pressure desired and by using other phosphorus com ounds in place of the triethyl phosphine. mong the compounds which may be employed are other alkyl compounds including trimethyl phosphine, and triphenyl phosphine.

I prefer to emplo the phosphorus compounds which are so uble in the fuel to romote the mixing of the two. Blen ing agents may be emplo ed if the phosphorus compound does not dissolve readily in the fuel. The compound may be added to the fuel-air mixture just before the latter is burned.

I claim:

1. A composition of matter comprising a low compression fuel; and a volatile phosphorus compound incorporated therein and adapted to increase the critical compression pressure of the fuel.

2. A composition of matter comprising a low compression fuel, such as kerosene 01' gasoline; and a volatile alkyl compound of phosphorus incorporated homogeneously therem and adapted to increase the critical compression pressure of the fuel.

3. A composition of mattcrcomprising a low compression fuel; and a volatile ethyl compound of phosphorus incorporated there- 1n.

4. A composition of matter comprising gasoline; and triethyl phosphine.

In testimony whereof I hereto affix my si gnaturc.

THOMAS MIDGLEY, J 1h 

